as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reviews
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hustles
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tricks
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cons
Cecil Joyce, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025
Roosevelt let newspaper editorials hash out the pros and cons of the voyage before making an official announcement, and the leak represented the first time congressmen (and the public) heard about the fleet’s plans to circumnavigate the globe.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Buzz Hays wants to make sure his colleagues in Hollywood understand the pros and cons of generative AI, in particular, fine-tuning models.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The Eagles are currently on their bye week, which will give them a chance to assess their overall situation and weigh the pros and cons of making such a big move.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Shared leadership does not always work, and Michael Watkins, professor at IMD Business school, has written about the pros and cons of this arrangement.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Across Europe, soccer players are routinely groomed into gambling accomplices by cons who follow a relatively consistent playbook.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Determining whether and when to start HRT requires weighing the pros and cons for you.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Dryer balls don't have many cons.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
After the 2025 playoffs are over, there should be a better understanding whether the pros outweighed the cons with the new playoff brackets.
—Cecil Joyce, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025
Roosevelt let newspaper editorials hash out the pros and cons of the voyage before making an official announcement, and the leak represented the first time congressmen (and the public) heard about the fleet’s plans to circumnavigate the globe.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Buzz Hays wants to make sure his colleagues in Hollywood understand the pros and cons of generative AI, in particular, fine-tuning models.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
The Eagles are currently on their bye week, which will give them a chance to assess their overall situation and weigh the pros and cons of making such a big move.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Shared leadership does not always work, and Michael Watkins, professor at IMD Business school, has written about the pros and cons of this arrangement.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025
Across Europe, soccer players are routinely groomed into gambling accomplices by cons who follow a relatively consistent playbook.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Determining whether and when to start HRT requires weighing the pros and cons for you.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Dryer balls don't have many cons.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cons. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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